Senegal has officially chosen General Birame Diop, former Minister of the Armed Forces, to occupy the presidency of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission for the 2026-2030 mandate. This nomination was announced on Sunday, May 31 by the Ministry of African Integration, Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, confirming President Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s desire to position a key figure at the helm of the regional organization.
This designation follows the decision made at the 68th ordinary session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government, held in Abuja in December 2025, which assigned Senegal the leadership of the executive body for the next four years. Dakar was thus called upon to propose a personality to succeed the outgoing president of the institution, Gambian diplomat Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, who had held the position since July 2022.
General Birame Diop’s candidacy will be formally submitted for approval by the ECOWAS heads of state and government at the next summit scheduled for July 2026. This passage before the highest authority constitutes the final step to officially validate his assumption of office at the head of the Commission.
According to Senegalese authorities, General Diop’s profile was chosen due to his alignment with the current requirements of the institution. His background is highlighted to address the multiple security, political, and institutional challenges facing the West African region.
